• Anthology – A collection of poems, stories, or essays by one or more authors, with a compiler or editor other than the author.
• Creative Nonfiction & Memoir – A book of nonfiction that uses literary styles and techniques as well as memory, experience, observation, and opinion to create factually accurate narratives.
• General Nonfiction – A book of nonfiction, including, but not limited to, science, nature, guidebooks, cookbooks, and educational texts.
• Genre Fiction – A book of fiction that is tied to the plot and follows conventions of genres such as science fiction/fantasy, mystery, thriller, romance, etc.; if enough entries for a specific genre subcategory are received in a given year, a Colorado Book Award will be given in that specific genre.
• History – A nonfiction book of history, including biographies of persons born earlier than the 20th century.
• Novel/Novella – A novel is a work of prose fiction with a word count of 40,000 words or more. A novella is a work of prose fiction with a word count between 17,500 and 40,000 words.
• Pictorial – A book strongly focused on photographs/illustrations by a Colorado photographer/illustrator; books in this category will be judged primarily on their illustrative content and overall book design.
• Poetry – A book-length collection of poetry by a single writer; chapter books of at least 30 pages are also eligible.
• Short Story – short story collection.
• Emergent Readers – A work of fiction or nonfiction for ages birth to 4. Books for this age are mainly read aloud style with engaging illustrations and text. The story is told with few words and encourages children to formulate shapes, letters, and sounds.
• Early Readers – A work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for readers grades K – 2nd. Books can also include easy chapter books and picture books. Characters in the story are of similar age to the reader.
• Juvenile Literature – A work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for readers grades 3rd – 5th.
• Middle Grade – A work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for readers grades 6th – 8th.
• Young Adult Literature – A work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for young adults grades 9th – 12th.

Books may be submitted in only one category. The final decision on a book’s category placement will be determined by Colorado Humanities.

In order to be eligible for submission, the following criteria must be met.

• A primary contributor to the book must currently reside in Colorado and have a Colorado address.
• All submitted books must have a valid ISBN and a 2024 publication date. Exceptions are made for books with a publication date of November or December 2023.

Self-published books are accepted, provided that they meet all eligibility requirements, and we strongly recommend that books be professionally edited.

The following are NOT eligible:

• Submitted works MUST be human authored. We do not accept works that are generated fully or partially by A.I./LLM engines or services (i.e., ChatGPT, Jasper, Sudowrite,) including those translated into English by AI-driven tools. Submitted works found in violation of this policy will be withdrawn without refund.
• Reprinted editions or books containing previously published material UNLESS at least 50% of the book’s content is new (further documentation will be required)
• Advance reading copies and galleys. If a book’s release date is after the submission deadline, the author or publisher must contact Colorado Humanities prior to January 3, 2025 to discuss a submission plan.
• E-books
• Plays or screenplays
• Books written by staff or board members of Colorado Humanities
• Books submitted to the previous year’s Colorado Book Awards contest

The final decision on a book’s eligibility is made by Colorado Humanities, and this decision will be binding.Please read eligibility requirements carefully. Refunds will not be processed for ineligible books.

• A complete online entry form for each title submitted
• A submission fee of $60 per entry (payable by credit/debit card)
• Four (4) copies of each submitted title
  • Important: if your book is nominated as a finalist, Colorado Humanities staff will contact you requesting three (3) additional copies of your book for the second round of judging.

Deadline: Submission form, entry fee, and book copies must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025.

Send Books to: Colorado Humanities, attn: Colorado Book Awards, 7935 E. Prentice Ave., Suite 450, Greenwood Village, CO 80111

In-Person Drop-offs: If desired, books may be dropped off in person on select days at our office. Please contact program coordinator Valerie Eddy (valerie@coloradohumanities.org, 303.894.7951 x15) to arrange a drop-off time.

Contact: Please contact Valerie Eddy with questions regarding eligibility, category placement, or the submission process. Email: valerie@coloradohumanities.org / Phone: 303.894.7951 x15.

Please note: Copies of submitted books become the property of Colorado Humanities and will not be returned. Books will be donated to communities that promote literacy and learning throughout Colorado following the judging process.

Disclaimer: Members of the staff and board of Colorado Humanities are not eligible to submit books to or serve as selectors and judges for the Colorado Book Awards.

Books are reviewed in a two-part process by volunteer selectors and judges from across the state. In the first round of adjudication in February and March, a panel of three selectors reviews all books submitted in a category to determine the finalists (typically three per category). In the second round in April and May, a panel of three judges reviews the finalists and selects a winner. All winners will be announced at the Finalists Celebration and Winners Announcement in July 2025.

The 2025 Colorado Book Award includes:

• Winners: a cash prize and engraved plaque
• Winners and Finalists:
  • Opportunity to join the Colorado Center for the Book Author Talks
  • https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/ccftb-author-talks/
  • Statewide publicity surrounding announcement of the Colorado Book Awards
  • Branded promotional materials

Please direct all questions to Valerie Eddy
valerie@coloradohumanities.org
303.894.7951 x15